BALit (Bay
Area Literacy) serves adults in the Bay Area who choose to improve
their reading and writing skills. BALit’s 25 member programs
are located in libraries from Mendocino County to Santa Clara
County. Each year these programs serve some 6,500 adults, helping
them to achieve their goals and expand their opportunities.
Library-based
literacy programs offer free, individualized and confidential
tutoring with trained volunteer tutors from the community. Learners
gain the skills they need to read to their children, complete
job applications, pass the driver’s test, write a birthday
card and achieve whatever goals they have set for themselves.
Tutors are amazed by what they learn from their partners.
Many programs
also offer computer-based instruction, family and workplace literacy
programs and tutoring for incarcerated adults. They also provide
support groups for tutors and learners.
